Stress Essay -- essays research papers

In years past, careers were milestones, which demonstrated successful accomplishments within our lives. Men utilized their careers to stake claim in society; a way to categorize their family’s worth. â€Å"Honey, I’ll be working late tonight† sometimes signified that the â€Å"gang† would have a long evening of crunching numbers, entertaining clients, or even smoking cigars with the boss while talking shop. If life went according to plan, and you chose the perfect career, the worst part of your workday would be choosing the best tie to match your navy pinstripe suit. Well, things have certainly changed. Careers are no longer guaranteed based on who-ya-know concepts. Today, young men and women both prepare frantically in high school to have the best grades and make the right contacts to ensure that once they graduate, they are accepted in a top-notch colleges, in hopes to transition into the perfect career. Little do they know, that because of the changing times, high demands, advancement in technology, liberal concepts, unethical business practices, etc., careers are no longer work filled bliss and may cause a great deal of work-related stress. When you accept a position for employment, one of your last thoughts is â€Å"gee, I wonder if the work environment here causes a great amount of stress.† Of course, if you are a day trader or a high risk emergency room doctor, you have some idea that your position within the organization will in fact be demanding and have a level of stress that is greater than other careers. But, if you are a bank teller, college professor, or a bus driver, work-related stress may not be a deciding factor when one accepts a new job. There are various definitions defining the word stress. Stress is â€Å"a state of extreme difficulty, pressure, or strain,† as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Author Unknown, 2002). Stress can also be comically defined as, â€Å"the confusion created when one’s mind overrides the body’s basic desire to choke the hell out of someone who desperately deserves it† (Author Unknown). Though both definitions accurately describe stress, Robert N. Lussier, author of Human Relations in Organizations, defines stress as â€Å"an emotion and/or physical reaction to environmental activities and events† (Lussier, 2005). When defining work-related stress however, emotional or physical relations that occur are ... ...y and exercise. Exercise produces endorphins, which help make you more upbeat and cheerful. â€Å"Think positive† (Lussier, 2005). It is ok to admit when you are at fault. But, once you do, learn from it, get over it, and move on. There are many ways to detect and treat stress. These are only a few that may be used as a preventative measure. Of all the suggestions listed, the most important is to relax. The old saying goes â€Å"take one day at a time.† Once you have made the accomplishment to get that great job, see it as an opportunity and not a stress filled threat. References Armour, S. (2002, May 16). Employees seek worker’ comp for on-the-job stress. USA Today, News, 01a. Author Unknown (2005, January 27). Management standards for work-related stress.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  January 31, 2005, from http://www.hse.gov.uk.stress/standards/index.htm Author Unknown (2002). Dictionary.com The american heritage ® dictionary of the english language, fourth edition. January 31, 2005, from http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=stress Lussier, R.N. (2005). Human relations in organizations: applications and skill-building 6th edition. (pp. 45 – 50). New York, NY: McGraw Hill